ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the monitoring experience of nursing students and to suggest considerations when developing mentoring programs. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted by online surveys and individual interviews with 7 nursing students who participated in the health promotion program as mentors. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify motives for participating in mentoring and to explore their changes through mentoring. RESULTS: The results were as follows: Motives for participating were ‘inquisitiveness about children’, ‘interest in mentoring activities’ and ‘curiosity about research’. Recognition of mentor roles were ‘actively involved guide’, ‘exemplary role model’ and ‘empathetic emotional supporter’. Changes through mentoring experiences were revealed by ‘understanding the characteristics of children’, ‘improvement of interaction ability with children’, ‘understanding self and changes’ and ‘recognition of excellence in forest activities’. CONCLUSION: Nursing students had opportunities to learn the characteristics of general children and to understand themselves through natural interaction. Participation in mentoring has the potential to be a creative educational method of field learning as a form of service learning.